Transcript: NewsCenter Podcast

Oct. 14, 2026

Good day, and welcome to the Fairfax County NewsCenter podcast. Coming up, learn about the Fuel Assistance program, gas powered leaf blowers and lawn equipment, Election Day, Spotted Lanternfly and groundbreaking for the new Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at fairfaxcounty.gov.

The start of fall is the time to get cozy and prepare to enjoy the changing leaves and holiday traditions! But it’s only enjoyable if you have a warm home where you can stay safe from the cold. Cold weather can strain heating systems and increase costs, which can be difficult for anyone on a limited income. The Fuel Assistance program helps pay heating costs for eligible households. Some people will be pre-approved, and others will need to apply. Applications will be accepted until November 13 this year. The Crisis Assistance program helps those who are in an emergency “no heat” situation, such as broken equipment or receiving a disconnection notice. Crisis Assistance applications will be open November 2 until March 15, 2027. To apply for either Fuel Assistance or Crisis Assistance, or other food and medical benefits, visit commonhelp.virginia.gov, or call 855-635-4370.

As leaf pickup season gets underway, leaf blowers and lawn equipment will be out in force — making this the perfect time to rethink how we care for our yards. Gas powered leaf blowers and lawn equipment generate significant air pollution, kicking up dust, pollen, mold, and other particles that can harm public health. Their two stroke engines also emit greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. On top of that, gas powered tools are extremely loud, often reaching 90 decibels even from 50 feet away. These are noise levels that can lead to headaches, hypertension, and long term hearing loss. Fortunately, cleaner, quieter alternatives are readily available. Electric lawn equipment, including battery powered and corded leaf blowers, is cost effective, easier on the ears, and far better for the environment. Residents can also adopt natural yard care practices, such as leaving fallen leaves to decompose and enrich the soil or composting yard debris to create nutrient rich topsoil. To learn more about making the switch, visit fairfaxcounty.gov and search “electric lawn equipment.”

As Election Day approaches, voters can be confident that their vote is protected. Comprehensive measures ensure every vote is accurately recorded, safely stored and properly counted. From safeguarding ballots and voting machines to conducting post-election canvassing, the Office of Elections prioritizes security at every step. We have strict protocols to protect mail-in absentee ballots, an increasingly popular voting method. Election officers closely monitor official drop box ballot returns. The 24/7 drop box at the Fairfax County Government Center is under video surveillance and boxes are physically secured with padlocks. Each ballot follows a strict chain of custody. Ballots are retrieved from the drop box multiple times daily. Two election officials transport ballots collected from early voting and Election Day drop boxes in sealed containers to the Office of Elections. Once there, each transfer step is documented, ensuring that every absentee ballot is accounted for and properly stored. NewsCenter has more on elections at fairfaxcounty.gov/news.

The Urban & Community Forestry Division reminds everyone that it's a good time to start scraping Spotted Lanternfly egg masses. It's also the best time of year to manage the Tree of Heaven, the Spotted Lanternfly’s preferred host. Get more information online at fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/trees/spotted-lanternfly.

A joint project between the City of Fairfax and Fairfax County officially broke ground in early October as elected officials and community leaders gathered to mark the start of construction on the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center. Once completed, the redeveloped site at 3750 Blenheim Blvd. in Fairfax will bring health, wellness and recreation together on one campus. The joint redevelopment project came about following years-long evaluations conducted by both the city and county. A unique joint redevelopment agreement is now in place to develop a conceptual plan for this campus, and both jurisdictions are working closely together to make it happen. The project includes construction of a new LEED Gold certified, 100,000-square-foot facility with all electric building systems and equipment, which will include a health center, childcare services, gymnasium, indoor track, fitness center, senior center and multiuse classrooms. The total cost of the project is $127.5 million, with Fairfax County paying 58% and Fairfax City paying 42%. NewsCenter has more information at fairfaxcounty.gov/news.

Subscribe to “Weekender,” the county’s weekend arts and entertainment e-newsletter. “Weekender” brings together offerings from around the county and delivers that info right to your inbox. Don’t miss out on fun happenings throughout the county. Subscribe to “Weekender” at fairfaxcounty.gov/news/weekender.

Land Development Services just launched a brand-new tool called the Development Tracker, an interactive digital map designed to help you see exactly what is being built nearby. Are you curious about that new construction site down the street? Wondering what business might be moving into a vacant storefront? With the Development Tracker, you can find out. You can simply type any address into the search bar to check out:

• Active construction sites
• Recent building permits
• Zoning applications
• Comprehensive plan amendments
• Certificates of occupancy

The new application is a simple way for you to stay in the loop, watch how neighborhoods are changing and view important land development details all in one place. NewsCenter has details and a link to the Development Tracker at fairfaxcounty.gov/news.

Halloween is one of the most fun nights of the year — but it's also one of the busiest nights for pedestrian accidents and other safety incidents. A little preparation goes a long way toward making sure the only scares on October 31st are the fun kind. Here are some key safety tips for trick-or-treaters and their families:

For Kids and Costumes:

• Choose bright or reflective costumes whenever possible, or add reflective tape to darker outfits
• Make sure masks and accessories don't block vision — consider face paint as a safer alternative
• Keep costumes short enough to prevent tripping in the dark

For Trick-or-Treating:

• Always trick-or-treat in groups, and make sure younger kids have an adult with them
• Stick to well-lit streets and familiar neighborhoods
• Carry a flashlight or glow stick — and make sure drivers can see you
• Only visit homes with porch lights on

For the Candy:

• Wait until you're home to eat anything, and have a trusted adult inspect all treats before digging in
• When in doubt, throw it out

And parents — this is a great reminder to talk to your kids about road safety basics before they head out. Excitement has a way of making kids forget to look both ways. Let’s all have a safe and spooky Halloween!

Finally, if you’ve enjoyed this podcast and want to hear more about the people and programs of Fairfax County Government, listen to the “County Conversation” podcast. You can find it, and several other county podcasts, at fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. 

That’s all for this NewsCenter podcast. Thanks for listening. For more information about the topics in this podcast and for news updates, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news. Follow the NewsCenter podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. You can also listen 24/7 online to Fairfax County Government Radio at fairfaxcounty.gov/radio. If you have questions, call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov. The NewsCenter podcast is produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia, Government.